Stage-lift flowing device



Aug. 26, 1930.- A. BOYNTON STAGE LIFT FLOWI NG DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1927 INVENTOR. XA/VDxSBfiOYITOxV' ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES ALEXANDER BoYN'roN, or SANANTONIO, mm

sraon-Lmrnowme DEVICE Application. filed November 16, 1927. Serial No. 233,691.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic stage hits or flowing devices for wells, and it consists of the constructions,

combinations and arrangements herein dethe maximum volume of pressure fluid to the liquid column until a predetermlned pressure differential is established, the plunger or valve being then automatically operable to gradually and progressively reduce the volume of pressure fluid admitted to the liquid column until the valve finally closes.

Another object of the invention is to'ma-ke use of a differential plunger or valve element which is held in a full open-position by the approximate equality of fluid pressure on each end of the element, thus permitting a maximum volume of pressure fluld to by-pass it until a predetermined pressure differential becomes existent whereupon thethrottling action begins.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improved flowing device.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional "iew illustrating details of construction to better advantage, 1

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line- 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a detail sectional "i-ew of a slightly modified form of the valve element and co-acting throttle bushing, and

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of a fur ther modification illustrating an inversion of the arrangement in Figure 4.

Reference may be had to co-pending applications for Letters Patent for other further exemplifications of the invention herein dismum "Torrie-E closedpsuch application having April 5,1927, Serial No. 181,144Tan-dfi1ed August 24, 1927, Serial vNo. 192,049. It may be briefly stated that the present'invention,

as well as others of the same seriesyis con- (.QIl'lBd with the expeditious setting inmotion and elevation of a column of liquid in a well. Although it. is primarily sought to'provide for the elevation of oil; yet the'principle is equally Well. adaptable tothe elevation of other liquid. e

In the drawing-the adjacent ends of ambing string designated by sections 3 'and' 4 are screwed or otherwise fitted into: the ends of the flowing device-body 5'. Alateialtnlargementof the flowing device body has a chamber 6, known as the spring'chambe'r' The spring chamber terminates at-on'e end in areducedportion 7 --that -commun i cates with a transverse outlet port 8 discharging into the bore of the valve body.

A bushing 9 extends nastthefoutlet' port '8 and into the passageway'or chamber 11 in which the so-called differential-plunger or valve element 12 is operable. -The bushing--'..--

has an opening 11 registering with the bore 8 and thus establishingcommunicationbtween the bore and the passageway through the bushing.

A circular head 10, forming-part of the bushing 9 is pressed into ultimate position at the base of the spring chamber 6 where, by engagement with the shoulders defined by the reduced portion 7. the bushing is held in a The recess receives the extremity of the bushing 9, and, as is later ex lained, the valve element rides over the e endent hushingas the former is lifted by y-passing pressure fluid.

The lower extremity of the bushing 9 is bevelled at 16 to agree with the corresponding formation at the bottom of the bore 15 to provide clearance but preferably not engagement. Similarly the upper extremity of the plunger 12 is bevelled at 17 to agree with the bevel 18 of the passageway orchamber 11, these corresponding bevels being for engagement. The dimensions of the parts may be such that the bevelled bottom of the bore 15 will engage the bevel or seat 16 to effect a sealing-ofl engagement, and at the same time the bevel 17 may engage the seat 18 for the same purpose.

However. the better practice. is to avoid the engagement of the bevelled bottom of the bore 15 with the seat 16, and in order to prevent such engagement when the bevel 17 en gages the seat 18 the bore 15 is preferably drilled to a suflicient depth to serve the intended purpose of avoiding this lower engagement.

It seems evident that ii a seal-oft between the bottom of the bore 15 and seat 10 is pro vided, as first suggested, the action of the spring (mentioned later) would tend to break the seal much easier and consequently at a much lower ditt'erential in pressure than if the seal-oil occurs between the larger plunger end 17 and upper seat 18.

It is, therefore, thought best to avoid the possibility of a sealing-off enga enient between the members 15 and 16 at a time when a sealing0fl' engagement might not be accomplished between the bevel 17 and seat 18. It is observed that, as already stated, the walls of the bore 15 are straight, but that these merge with the convex walls 20 of the adjacent bore, which walls are struck on the arc of a circle, the center of which is situated upon a plane by bisecting the axis of the plunger at apoint where the bores 15 and 2d merge. The foregoing descriptive matter is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the broken line 25 designates the plane perpendicular to the axis of the plunger. and 26 the center from which the are is struck.

Situated in the chamber (3 is a spring .21 which falls short of a plug :22 closing the upper end. An axial extension :23 ot the spring enters a counter-bore 24 in the plunger 12. It is to be observed that the length of the strai ht-walled bore 14 is exactly the same as the distance between the bottom end of the spring extension 23 and the bottom of the bore 2-1 )1115 the distance 27 between the upper end of t e spring and the plug 212. This exact equality of the two distances is intended to compensate for the full movement of the plunger without allowing the inwardly arced surfaces or convex-walls of the bore 20 to begin reducing or governing the volume of by-passing pressure fluid until compression of the spring 21 commences. If it should be desired that this governing action begin to act upon a smaller by-passin area, in order to admit less volume, then spring 21 or extension 23 thereof may be correspondingly shortened.

The reason of the foregoing arrangements is that the greatest volume of pressure fluid should be admitted to the liquid column at a time when the diil'crence in pressures in the tubing and surrounding casing is very slight, and it is not until compression of the spring begins that there is any noticeable building up of a pressure differential. The volume of admitted pressure fluid can be best controlled by the arced bore 20 in association with the throttling bushing 9 to properly coordinate the difference in pressures in the tubing and the casing with the admission of lifting energy to do the required amount of work during such varying difference in pressures until such diti'erence reaches a point where no additional energy is required to lift the liquid in the tubing at the desired velocity. It seems evident that the latter pointis essential in determining the proper tension of the spring 21. This tension in turn, fixes the sealing-off point against the admission of further lifting pressure fluid.

In order that a better conception of structure may be had, the following dimensions of the fluid throttling mechanism will aid in the making of one exemplitication of the flowing device: The walls' of the bushing 9 are straight as shown, the outside diameter being .315", the inside 3/16". The diameter of the bore 14 is .340, leaving a limited but ample clearance between the bushing 9 and bore 14. The convex bore 20 is struck on a long radius, and the straight-walled bore 15 with which it merges is .318" in diameter. presenting a still greater limitation to the fluid flow when the )lungcr 12 rises so high that the end of the bushing 9 will occupy the bore 15. The diameter of the plunger 12 is .373", while that of the passageway or chamber 11 is 7/16. 1

Referring to Fig. 1 The greatest dill'crence between the external diameter of hollow depending shank 9 and the internal diameter of bore in top of plunger should be .030. This difference in diameter is at the point of approximate contact bet ween the two members as shown in Fig. 1. that is. about 1/16" below top of plunger. The smallest internal diameter of bore in top of plunger should be .005" to .010 greater than the diameter of depending hollow shank 9. This is at lowest point in plunger to which depending shank goes when plunger seals otf upon its upper seat.

Referring to Fig. 2: The greatest diameter of the hollow section in the plunger should be .030 greater than the external diameter of element.

hollow shank should the depending hollow shank. This difference in diameters is at approximately 1/16" from the top of the plunger in the position shown. The difference in diameter between bottom bore 15 in the plun er and the depending is .005" to .007". I

Referring to Fig. 4: The difference in-diameter between the upper (largest) bore in top of plunger and the section over which it fits at point of engagement should be .030. The difference in diameters between the middle step in the hollow section of the plunger and the section over which it fits should be .020; The difference in diameter between the bottom step in the plunger bore and the section over which it fits should be .010". The difference between the external diameter of the plunger and the' plunger chamber should be .020" to .040".

Referring to Fig. 5 The difference between the top step of the plunger and the sectionin which it fits at engagement should be .020".

The difference in diameter between the sec ond step of the plunger and thesection in which it fits should be .030". The difference between the greatest external diameter of the plunger and the plunger chamber should be .030.

. The length of the coil section of the spring should be 5" to 6".

The diameter of the spring should be .100" to .140" wrap ed on a pitch of three to six coils per inch. he distance of the spring compression should be from A" to 1". The diameter of spring coil should be 7 to 7 Reference is made to Figure 1. Although this illustrates a modified construction yet it exemplifies the principle of operation in Figure 1. Here, as 1n Figure 1, the control means is situated internally of the )lunger or valv'e Instead of including a convexly walled bore as in Figure 1 the valve element 12 is provided with an intermediate straightwalled bore 28, the effect being a succession of steps or counter-bores which progressively enlarge as they a preach the bevelled edge 17.

Agreeable wit 1 the internalarrangement of the plunger the throttle bushing 9 has a plurality of external shoulders 29 which progressively enlarge toward the seat 18. The reader will observe at once that the co-action of the peculiar recess in thevalve element 12 with the peculiar external arrangement in the bushing 9 must result in substantially the same effect as in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 illustrates what has been termed an inversion of the arrangement in Figure 4. The plunger or valve element 12 is provided with a plurality of external shoulders 30 which are of progressively smaller diameter, the smallest merging with the bevel 17 which can be recognized the same as the corresponding bevel in the other modifications.

Instead of now providing a endent throttle bushing the upper end 0 the plunger chamber ll is reduced by a succession of counter-bores 31, the smallest of these merging with the bevel or s'eat'1-8. One di'fierence in function is to be noted in respect to Figure 5;

the pressure fluid will by-pass'the plunger or valve element 12 more or less directly, whereas in Figure 4- and the preceding modification the pressure fluid is made to traverse a more or less tortuous course around thedge of the depending bushing 9.

1. A valve comprising a body having a passageway, a valve element operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid flowing therein,'and-co-acting surface formations 1n the valve element and a portion of the passageway definin a tortuouscourse for throttling the flow o said fluid.

2. A valve comprising a body having a passageway, a valve element operable in the passageway by pressure of fluid flowing therein, and associated and co-acting forma-' tions both in the valve element and the passageway, one of which formations includes a restriction in the valve element by which a throttling effect is upon the by-passing fluid upon an increase in the rate of flow of the fluid. g

3. A valve comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member in the body and having communication with the outlet, and a tubular fluid pressure responsive valve element closed at one end in the body and having telescopic association with the tubular member, the valveelement being of a greater cross sectional area from its open end to a point intermediateits ends whereby a' maximum quantity of fluid pressurewill pass between the tubular member, and valve element when the latter is in a predetermined open position, and the fluid pressure reduced'when the valve element is in a second predetermined position. and means for resisting the movement of the valve element toward the tubular member.

4. A valve comprising a body having a bore with an inlet and outlet. a tubular member of less diameter than the bore received in the latter. and a fluid pressure actuated valve element in the bore having telescopic engagement with the tubular member and having one end closed and adapted to engage one end of the tubular member to prevent passage of pressure fluid through the outlet when subiected to a predetermined fluid pressure, and an exnansible coil spring in the bore for resisting the movement of the valve element her in the body to one side of the outlet and 0 having communication therewith. a tubular fluid pressure responsive valve element in the casing having telescopic engagement with the tubular member and having one end closed and adapted to engage one end of the tubular member to seal the latter when the pressure element is subjected to a predetermined fluid pressure, the valve element being of ditie-rent cross sectional area at diflerent points along its length whereby variable fluid volumes are permitted to pass into the tubular member according to the position of the valve element.

6. A valve comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member in the body and having communication with the outletyand a tubular fluid pressure responsive *alve. element closed at one end in the casing and having telescopic engagement with the tubular member, the valve element being of a greater cross sectional area from its open end to a point intermediate its ends whereby a maximum quantity of fluid pressure will pass between the tubular member and valve element when the latter is in a predetermined open position, and the fluid pressure reduced when the valve element is in a second predetermined position.

7. A valve comprising a body having a passageway, a bushing pendent in the passageway and forming part thereof, and a valve element operable in the passageway and. telescol'iingythc bushing, said element having a recess receiving the bushing. a portion of the recess being convexly formed to restrict the flow of fluid around the edge of the bushing as the valve element approaches said bushing.

8. A flowing device comprising a. body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet. a throttle bushing pendent in the pas sageway and communicating with the outlet. and a hollow plunger in the passageway, movable over the bushing under fluid pressure but being internally formed part way to permit an initial fluid flow of relatively great volume and a succeeding progressive diminution of the fluid volume as the plunger advances upon the bushing.

9. A flowing device comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet. at throttle bushing pendent in the passageway. and a plunger movable in the pass geway over the bushing under the inliuence ot' fluid pressure. having a bore with a restricted portion For throttling the fluid flow. and having a straight-walled portion permitting an initial How of relatively great. volume before said constriction takes efl'ect.

ll flowing device comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet. a throttle bushing pendent in the passageway. a plunger movable in the passageway by pressure fluid entering the inlet. having a constricted bore with an introductory straight-walled portion to receive the bushing. and yieldable means permitting an initial tree movement of the plunger in respect to the bushing to the approximate extent of the straight-walled portion to permit an initial fluid flow of relatively great volume, being in position for engagement by the plunger to then retard the movement of the plunger as the constriction advances over the bushing.

11. A flowing device comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet, a throttle bushing pendent in the passageway, a plunger movable over the bushing by pressure fluid entering at the inlet, said plunger having a constricted bore with an introductory straight-walled portion of larger diameter and a final counter-bore, a spring having an axial extension into the plunger stopping short from the bottom of the counter-bore a distance approximately equal to the distance between the end of the bushing and the beginning of the constriction, permitting an initial free movement of the plunger and an initial fluid flow of greatest volume before. the plunger is put under restraint by engagement with said extension and the fluid flow is restricted as the plunger advances over the bushing.

12. A flowing device comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet. a throttle bushing pendent in the passageway. a plunger which has an introductory straight-walled bore of largest diameter with an immediately following constricted portion that will reduce the volume of bypassing fluid as it advances upon the bushing. and yieldable means which stands in position to permit the initial advance of the straight-walled portion upon the bushing, before the plunger engages therewith. said means being subject to adjustment so that the plunger may move a greater or lesser extent before said engagement.

13. A valve comprising a body having an outlet, a passageway with an inlet and a pendent throttle bushing in comnmnication with the outlet. and a hollow plunger receiving the end of the bushing and providing an increasingly lengthening by-pass as the plunger advances upon the bushing under the influence of pressure fluid entering at the inlet.

14. A valve comprising a body having a passageway with an inlet and an outlet. a throttle bushing pendent in the passageway and communicating with the outlet. and a plunger in the passageway. being made hollow by a bore which has an introductory straight-walled portion and a succeeding con vex-walled portion receiving the bushing and producing a progressive throttling action upon lay-passing fluid after the plunger advances sufliciently far to bring the end of the bushing into the region of said convex-walled portion.

3.3. It valve comprising a body having a pussagevv'zrv with an inlet and an outlet, there being a seat adjacent to the outlet, at throttle bushing pendent in the passageway and comn'lunicating with the outlet, and a plunger having separated straight-Walled bores with a connecting convex-walled portion, the end of the plunger adjacent one of the bores being bevelled to engage the seat when the plunger has advanced upon the bushing sufficiently far to introduce the end of the bushing into the other bore.

Signed at San Antonio, in the county of- Bexar and State of Texas this 19th day of October, A. D. 1927.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

